Bill > HB2118

This bill addresses restrictions in common interest communities (such as condominiums, homeowners' associations, and apartment complexes) by preventing associations from imposing more restrictive rules on property owners after they have purchased their unit or lot. Specifically, the bill prohibits associations from entering into, amending, or enforcing covenants, conditions, or restrictions that would limit the types of use more stringently than when the owner originally acquired the property, unless the owner explicitly agrees in writing. The bill defines "types of use" as including residential, agricultural, or commercial purposes, the ability to rent the property for any duration, and the ability to develop the property in accordance with applicable laws. Property owners can request that their specific exemption be recorded in the county where the property is located. The bill applies to four different types of property ownership chapters in Washington state law and includes provisions that prevent successors-in-interest from claiming these protections in certain circumstances, such as when a lender acquires the property through foreclosure. Importantly, the bill does not invalidate existing restrictions and does not create a private right of action for actions occurring before its effective date. The provisions in the bill for homeowners' associations and certain types of property ownership are set to expire on January 1, 2028.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2118&Year=2025&Initiative=false